Worship Ministries

We’re not sure exactly how many parishioners it takes to worship God at St. Columba’s, but we know it’s a lot. Many sit in the pews, while some wear vestments and serve up front. Some give a Saturday morning to prepare for Sunday. There are those who sing, those who greet and those who pray for others. They keep us faithful to the original Greek meaning of the word “liturgy”—the work of the people.

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To contact a ministry leader via email, simply click the email address next to the person’s name.

Acolytes and Sacristans

Working under the leadership of the verger, acolyte director and sacristans, young people ages 10 through high school serve at most Sunday services. They carry the cross and torches and banners in the processions and they hold the Gospel book for the deacon. As they serve, these young people contribute to the parish in important ways, and learn about the care we bring to the worship of God. Older acolytes, who demonstrate particular dedication and skill in their work, are invited to serve as sacristans, a position of great responsibility in the liturgy.

Altar Guild

Just as we do for festive occasions at home, we take out the best linens and silver and fresh candles for worship. Members of the Altar Guild work in teams behind the scenes to make sure that the vessels for communion and linens for the altar are set out, bright and clean and properly organized for services. They wash up when services are over and put everything away. They also keep the candle tree, located in the nave extension near the doors to the Common, cleaned and stocked with fresh candles. The Altar Guild also helps out with weddings and funerals. Some members serve on the Wedding Guild and help keep things running smoothly at wedding rehearsals and ceremonies.

Each May, we run a Mother's Day Linen Drive during which parishioners may honor their mother or other significant woman in their lives by making a contribution toward the purchase of special linen used during services. Click here for this year's donors.

Flower Guild

Every Sunday of the year, except during Lent and Advent, flowers decorate the church nave and the Great Hall. These arrangements are crafted by the Flower Guild, a faithful group of parishioners who bring the beauty of Creation into our worship. More>>

Lay Eucharistic Ministers

When we gather for worship, both clergy and lay people have a place in the administration of Holy Communion. We "feed" large numbers of people each Sunday in five different celebrations of the Eucharist. Lay people (about 75 in all) serve in teams to administer the chalice of wine.

Ushers

Walking into a church service can be a bit daunting. Ushers are there to try and bring a little grace to that moment. They provide a welcome, a bulletin to help navigate the service and directions to available seats, in addition to gathering the offering and directing people to the various communion stations. Ushers work in teams, volunteering to serve approximately one Sunday service a month.

Vergers

A verger is a lay person who assists in the ordering of religious services (an ecclesiastical stage manager), particularly in Episcopal churches. The title comes from the verge (ceremonial staff or rod) carried by the verger, which in earlier times was used to make way through the crowds for the clergy. At St. Columba’s, one or two vergers are always on duty on Sundays for all eucharistic services, and the vergers also serve at Christmas, during Holy Week and on other festival occasions.